Following last week’s announcement that Lucinda Williams had received Grammy nominations in four different genre categories comes the news that another quadruple nominee from her label Lost Highway also involved the lovely Lu. Seems that Rolling Stones riffmeister Keith Richards heard Williams’ version of “Cold Cold Heart” from the four-time nominated Hank Williams tribute album Timeless, and asked, “Does she drink?” Upon being informed that yes, the lady did imbibe, Richards, who cut “You Win Again” for the album, replied, “Well, I’d like to have a drink with her.” Lost Highway, which also counts among its roster Robert Earl Keen, Ryan Adams, and Kim Richey, can boast among its first-year successes 16 Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year for the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. Asked what other label has accrued so many nominations in its first year, Frank Calari, label founder and manager for Williams, Adams, and Richey, replied, “I’d like to figure that out, but I’m too busy.” Williams is presently enjoying some downtime in Nashville before starting rehearsals next month in preparation for April tour dates. And nope, sorry, I can’t tell you when the Lucinda Williams/Elvis Costello duet appearance on CMT Crossroads will rerun. For now, you’ll have to settle for watching the second installment of the show with Hank Williams Jr. and Kid Rock, set to air Feb. 17 on CMT.
This article appears in January 18 • 2002.